Cigarette lighter

ABSTRACT

The apparatus and method disclosed uses the energy, heat, and/or rays of a light source, such as the sun, to light a cigarette. An apparatus is provided comprising a housing, a reflecting device having an inner surface, the reflecting device connected to the housing, and a cigarette holder connected to the housing. A cigarette can be inserted into the cigarette holder such that light from a light source reflects off the inner surface of the reflecting device and is directed towards the cigarette, causing the cigarette to light. The reflecting device may be a dish. The dish may have a focal point at which light rays reflecting off of the inner surface of the dish intersect. The cigarette holder may hold a cigarette so that a first end of the cigarette which is to be lit, is located at the focal point of the dish. The housing may be comprised of a handle device by which the apparatus can be held.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation in part of and claims the priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/153,410 titled “Cigarette Lighter” filed on May 22, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to techniques for lighting cigarettes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically in the prior art an individual lights a cigarette by using the flame of a lit match or the flame of a conventional cigarette lighter. Assuming a match is used, it is thrown away after use and another match is need to light another cigarette. A conventional cigarette lighter uses a fuel source and when the fuel is exhausted another cigarette lighter is needed or more fuel needs to be purchased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for lighting a cigarette. The apparatus provided in at least one embodiment uses the energy, heat, and/or rays of a light source, such as the sun, to light a cigarette. Because the sun is essentially an inexhaustible and free source, the present invention allows an individual to light up a large number of cigarettes without having to obtain more fuel.

In one embodiment of the present invention an apparatus is provided comprising a housing, a reflecting device having an inner surface, the reflecting device connected to the housing, and a cigarette holder connected to the housing. A cigarette can be inserted into the cigarette holder such that light from a light source reflects off the inner surface of the reflecting device and is directed towards the cigarette, causing the cigarette to light. The light source may be the sun. The reflecting device may be a dish. The dish may have a focal point at which light rays reflecting off of the inner surface of the dish intersect. The dish may be in the form of a parabolic reflector. The term parabolic reflector is known and a parabolic reflector has its own mathematical formula for proper curvature, focal point, and reflectivity. The cigarette holder may hold a cigarette so that a first end of the cigarette which is to be lit, is located at the focal point of the dish.

The housing may be comprised of a handle device by which the apparatus can be held. The handle device may have a gap through which one or more fingers can be inserted for holding the apparatus. The dish may have a curvature which may be substantially the same as the curvature of a curved portion of the housing. The dish may be fixed to the housing at the curved portion. The cigarette holder may have a lip which prevents a cigarette from falling out of the cigarette holder.

The present invention discloses a method comprising the step of inserting a cigarette into a cigarette holder such that light from a light source reflects off the inner surface of a reflecting device and is directed towards the cigarette, causing the cigarette to light.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows front view of an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a right side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a left side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows a back view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows a cross sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with a cigarette inserted and with locations identified for placing or insertion of an individual's fingers for holding the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of part of the apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows front view of the apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 shows a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 shows a right side view of the apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 shows a left side view of the apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 14 shows a bottom view of the apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 15 shows a back view of the apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 16 shows a cross sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 8 with a cigarette inserted;

FIG. 17 shows a right side view of a dish for use with the apparatus of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of a carrying case for carrying the apparatus of FIG. 8 after it has been separated into two pieces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows front view of an apparatus 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2-6 show a top, right side, left side, and bottom views of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 shows a cross sectional view of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 with a cigarette 200 inserted and with locations identified for placing or insertion of an individual's fingers for holding the apparatus 10.

Referring to FIG. 1, apparatus 10 includes a dish 20, a housing 30, and a cigarette holder 40. The housing 30 is comprised of portions 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, and 130. Although the portions 50-130 may be solid, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, each portion has an outer section, a middle section, and an inner section. Portion 50, for example has an outer section 50 a, middle section 50 b, and an inner section 50 c. There is a gap or opening 140 in the housing 30 which allows the insertion of an individual's four fingers, for example, at the locations 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, and 210 d , shown in FIG. 7. One or more of portions 60-130 can be considered a handle device in accordance with the present invention.

The dish 20 is comprised of an outer surface 20 a, a rim 20 b, and an inner surface 20 c. The dish 20 may be considered to be a type of reflecting device for reflecting light from a light source, such as the sun. The inner surface 20 c is concave, i.e. curves inward like the inside of a bowl, as can be seen in the cross sectional view of FIG. 7. The outer surface 20 a is convex, i.e. curves outward like the outside of a bowl, as can also be seen in the cross sectional view of FIG. 7. The dish 20 rests on a pin 152 a. There may be a gap 150 between the outer surface 20 a of the dish 20 and the inner section 130 c of the portion 130 of the housing 30. The dish 20 may have a radius of curvature of 3.631 degrees or inches 4.125 inches. The dish 20 should have as its focal point the location where an end 200 a of the cigarette 200 shown in FIG. 7, sits.

The cigarette holder 40 has a height of H1, which may be 0.5 inches and an outer width or diameter, W1 which may be 0.44 inches. The cigarette holder 40 has a portion 40 b which as an inner width or diameter W1, shown in FIG. 7, which may be 0.32 inches, which should be about the diameter of the cigarette 200. The cigarette holder 40 also has a lip portion 40 a which has an inner width or diameter W3, which may be 0.308 inches and which is smaller than the width or diameter W1, so that the end 200 a of the cigarette 200 will be stopped inside of the cigarette holder 40.

The end 40 c of the cigarette holder 40 may be located a distance H2, which may be 1.875 inches, from the middle of the inner section 130 c of the portion 130. The distance L3, from the inner section 90 c of the portion 90 may be 0.835 inches from the section 130 a of the portion 130, allowing a sufficient opening 140 for the insertion of one or more fingers. The dish 20 may be fixed to the housing 30 by a pin 152 a and a cap, nut, or washer 152 b.

In operation an individual may place a cigarette 200 in the cigarette holder 40 so that the end 200 a of the cigarette comes in contact with the lip portion 40 a. The individual may next an hold the apparatus 10 by the housing 30. The individual may insert his or her first four fingers (not including his or her thumb) through locations 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, and 210 d of the gap 140 as shown by FIG. 7. The individual may grip the four fingers (not including his or her thumb) around the portion 90 and place his thumb at the location 210 e, resting on portion 110.

Next, the individual may direct the combination of the apparatus 10 and the cigarette 200 so that rays from the sun hit the dish 20 from, for example, directions D1 and D2 shown in FIG. 7. The rays from the sun may be reflected off of the inner surface 20 c of the dish 20 and/or combined to form light focussed in the direction D3 towards the end 200 a of the cigarette 200. The end 200 a is at the focal point of the dish 20 where reflected light rays from the inner surface 20 c meet. The individual should hold the apparatus 10 and cigarette 200 steady so that the light in the direction D3 continues to be focussed on the end 200 a of the cigarette 200. Within a short time the light coming in the direction D3 from the dish 20 will cause the end 200 a of the cigarette 200 to light. After the end 200 a of the cigarette 200 is lit, the cigarette 200 can be taken out of the holder 40 and smoked. Another cigarette can be placed in the holder 40 and lit in the same manner as the cigarette 200.

The inner surface 20 c of the dish 20 may be coated with a reflecting surface for reflecting light such as a mirror surface. The dish 20 itself may be a mirror. The housing 30 may be made of a non-flammable plastic.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an apparatus 310 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of part of the apparatus 310 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows front view of the apparatus 310 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 11-15 show a top, right side, left side, bottom, and rear views of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 8. FIG. 16 shows a cross sectional view of the apparatus 310 of FIG. 8 with a cigarette 200 inserted. FIG. 17 shows a right side view of a dish 320 for use with the apparatus 310 of FIG. 8.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, apparatus 310 includes a dish 320, a housing 330, and a cigarette holder 340. The housing 330 is comprised of portions 350, 355, 360, 370, 380, 390, 400, 410, 420, and 430. Although the portions 350, 355, 360, 370, 380, 390, 400, 410, 420, and 430 may be solid, in the embodiment of FIGS. 8-17, each of portions 355, 360, 370, 380, 390, 400, 410, 420, and 430 has an outer section, a middle section, and an inner section. Portion 350, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, has an outer section 350 a, middle section 350 b, and an inner section 350 c. There is a gap or opening 440 in the housing 330, which allows the insertion of an individual's four fingers, for example, at locations similar to locations 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, and 210 d , shown for the embodiment of FIG. 7. A person's thumb can be placed at a location similar to location 210 e, shown for the embodiment of FIG. 7. One or more of portions 355, 360, 370, 380, 390, 400, 410, 420, and 430 can be considered a handle device in accordance with the present invention. The portion 355, which is attached directly to the cigarette holder 340, should be made of a metal, such as aluminum. The cigarette holder is also typically made of a metal, which would typically be aluminum. Light reflected back from dish 320 typically impacts onto portion 355 and cigarette holder 340 and having a metal instead of plastic at these areas or portions prevents melting. The portions 350, 360, 370, 380, 390, 400, 410, 420, and 430 are typically made of plastic so they can be easily molded and can be lightweight.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 10, the dish 320 is comprised of an outer surface 320 a, a rim 320 b, and an inner surface 320 c. The dish 320 may be considered to be a type of reflecting device for reflecting light from a light source, such as the sun. The dish 320 may be made of plastic with a chrome or mirror reflecting material or paint, placed, painted, or sprayed on the inner surface 320 c. The inner surface 320 c is concave, i.e. curves inward like the inside of a bowl, as can be seen in the cross sectional view of FIG. 16. The outer surface 320 a is convex, i.e. curves outward like the outside of a bowl, as can also be seen in the cross sectional view of FIG. 16. The dish 320 rests on inner member or sections 430 c and 430 d of portion 430 of the housing 330 shown in FIG. 16. There is a gap 490, shown in FIGS. 8 and 16, between sections 430 c and 430 d. Portions 327 a, 327 b, 329 a and 329 b shown in FIGS. 10 and 15 may be inserted into gap 490 and then slid onto member 430 c. The dish 320 is then centered so that the combination of portions 327 a-b and 329 a-b are substantially centered under cigarette holder 340. The housing portion 430 includes stops 439 a and 439 b located in sections 439 b and 439 e, respectively. Sections 439 b and 439 e may be slots, grooves, or indented sections. The dish 320 L shaped members 327 a-b and 329 a-b may be slid onto the section 430 c until the L shaped members 327 a-b and 329 a-b reach stop 439 a located in groove or indented section 439 b. The dish 320 L shaped members 327 a-b and 329 a-b may be slid off of the section 430 c and the stop 439 b prevents the L shaped members 327 a-b and 329 a-b from going into the slot, groove or indented section 439 e.

FIG. 17 shows a right side view of the dish 320. FIG. 17 shows portions 328 a, 327 b, 329 a, and 328 b. Portion 327 b is an L-shaped track having portion 397 a, which protrudes from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to a portion of the outer surface 320 a of the dish 320. Portion 397 b is fixed substantially perpendicular to portion 397 a. Similarly Portion 329 a is an L-shaped track having portion 399 a, which protrudes from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to a portion of the outer surface 320 a of the dish 320. Portion 399 b is fixed substantially perpendicular to portion 399 a. Portions 327 a, and 329 b are similar to portions 327 b and 329 a. The L-shaped tracks 327 b and 329 a can be slid onto the member or section 430 c of the housing portion 430, so that the member section 430 c is between the tracks 327 b and 329 a as shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 17.

The dish 320 may have a radius of curvature of 3.631 degrees or 4.125 inches. The dish 320 should have as its focal point the location where an end 200 a of a cigarette 200, shown in FIG. 16, sits.

The cigarette holder 340 has a height of H1, shown in FIG. 10, which may be 0.5 inches and an outer width or diameter, W1 that may be 0.44 inches. The cigarette holder 340 has protruding portions 341, 342, 343, and 344 shown from one or more different view points in one or more of FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, and 16. Protruding portion 341 includes sections 341 a and 341 b shown in FIG. 8. Section 341 a protrudes downwards substantially perpendicularly to a bottom edge 340 c of the cigarette holder 340. Section 341 b protrudes out substantially perpendicularly from section 341 a and substantially parallel to the bottom edge 340 c. Protruding portions 342, 343, and 344 include sections 342 a-b (shown in FIG. 8), 343 a-b (shown by combination of FIGS. 11 and 15), and 344 a-b (shown by combination of FIGS. 11 and 15), respectively. Sections 342 a, 343 a, and 344 a protrude downwards substantially perpendicular to the bottom edge 340 c. Sections 342 b, 343 b, and 344 b protrude out substantially perpendicular from sections 342 b, 343 b, and 344 b and substantially parallel to the bottom edge 340 a.

The cigarette holder 340 includes a portion 340 b, which has an inner width or diameter W1, shown in FIG. 10, which may be 0.32 inches, which should be about the diameter or width, W2, shown in FIG. 16, of the cigarette 200. The distance D4, shown in FIG. 11, between the section 344 b and opposing section 342 b, (and between the section 343 b and opposing section 341 b) may be 0.308 inches, which is smaller than the width or diameter W1 (and W2), so that the end 200 a of the cigarette 200 will be stopped by the sections 341 b, 342 b, 343 b, and 344 b at the location shown in FIG. 16. In the location shown in FIG. 16, a portion 200 c of the cigarette is visible and accessible by light and oxygen through gaps between the sections 341 b, 342 b, 343 b, and 344 b. This allows more light and more heat to ignite the cigarette 200 and to be reflected off of the dish 320 onto the portion 200 c of a side surface 200 d of the cigarette 200. Thus light, oxygen, and heat can be reflected onto the side portion or surface 200 c and onto the end or surface 200 a. The end or surface 200 a is substantially perpendicular to the surface 200 c.

An end 340 d of the cigarette holder 40 may be located a distance H3, shown in FIG. 10, which may be 1.875 inches, from the middle of the inner section 430 c of the portion 430. The distance L3, shown in FIG. 16, from the inner section 390 c of the portion 390 may be 0.835 inches from the section 430 a of the portion 430, allowing a sufficient opening 440 for the insertion of one or more fingers.

In operation an individual may place a cigarette 200 in the cigarette holder 340 so that the end 200 a of the cigarette 200 comes in contact and further downward movement in direction D8 is prevented by the sections 341 b, 342 b, 343 b, and 344 b shown in FIG. 11. The individual may next hold the apparatus 310 by the housing 330. The individual may insert his or her first four fingers (not including his or her thumb) through the gap 440 through locations similar to locations 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, and 210 d as shown by FIG. 7. The individual may grip the four fingers (not including his or her thumb) around the portion 390 and place his thumb at a location similar to location 210 e shown in FIG. 7, resting on portion 410.

Next, the individual may direct the combination of the apparatus 310 and the cigarette 200 so that rays from the sun hit the dish 320 from, for example, directions D5 and D6 shown in FIG. 16. The rays from the sun may be reflected off of the inner surface 320 c of the dish 320 and/or combined to form light focused in the direction D7 towards the end 200 a of the cigarette 200. The end 200 a is at the focal point of the dish 320 where reflected light rays from the inner surface 320 c meet. The individual should hold the apparatus 310 and cigarette 200 steady so that the light in the direction D7 continues to be focused on the end 200 a of the cigarette 200. However, in accordance with the embodiment of FIGS. 8-16, light may be reflected onto the portion 200 c of the cigarette 200 through gaps between the sections 341 b, 342 b, 343 b, and 344 b, from the dish 320 in directions other than the direction D7. This allows more light and more heat to be absorbed by the cigarette 200 and thereby allows the cigarette 200 to light faster.

After the cigarette 200 is lit, near end 200 a, the cigarette 200 can be taken out of the holder 340 and smoked. Another cigarette can be placed in the holder 340 and lit in the same manner as the cigarette 200.

The inner surface 320 c of the dish 320 may be coated with a reflecting surface for reflecting light such as a mirror surface. The dish 320 itself may be a mirror. The housing 330 may be made of a non-flammable plastic.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention the cigarette holder 340 is made of a metal, such as aluminum. In addition, the cigarette holder 340 is connected to a metal extension 355, which is then connected to housing portion 350, as shown in FIG. 8. The extension 355 may be made of aluminum. The housing 330, not including extension 355 or cigarette holder 340 may be made of lightweight plastic. Metal, such as aluminum, can be used for cigarette holder 340 and extension 355 in order to prevent the extension 355 and holder 340 from melting from the heat reflected back from the dish 320. If plastic were used for holder 340 and extension 355, the plastic would typically be susceptible to melting.

FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of a carrying case 500 for carrying the apparatus 310 of FIG. 8 after the dish 320 has been taken off of the rest of apparatus 310. The carrying case 500 includes top cover 502, bottom cover 504, and sides 506 and 508. The top cover 502 is hinged to the bottom cover 504 by hinge 510. The top cover 502 has a pocket 516 and the bottom cover 504 has a pocket 518. Flexible stops 512 and 514 are provided to prevent the case 500 from opening more than shown in FIG. 18. Zipper teeth 506 a and 508 a are located on the edge of sides 506 and 508. The zipper teeth 506 a and 508 a mate or connect with each other by used of a zipper not shown to close the case 500. In operation the dish 320 can be placed in one of the pockets, such as pocket 516 while the portion of the apparatus 310 shown in FIG. 9 can be placed in the other pocket, such as pocket 518. The full apparatus 310 has a wide profile and taking the dish 320 and portion shown in FIG. 9, apart allows the apparatus 310 to be inserted compactly and easily into a carrying case, such as case 500.

Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention's contribution to the art. 

1. An apparatus comprising: a housing; a reflecting device having an inner surface, the reflecting device connected to the housing; a cigarette holder connected to the housing; and wherein a cigarette can be inserted into the cigarette holder such that light from a light source reflects off the inner surface of the reflecting device and is directed towards the cigarette, causing the cigarette to light; wherein the housing is comprised of a handle device by which the apparatus can be held; and wherein the handle device has a gap through which one or more fingers can be inserted for holding the apparatus.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the reflecting device is a dish.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the dish has a focal point at which light rays reflecting off of the inner surface of the dish intersect; and wherein the cigarette holder holds a cigarette so that a first end of the cigarette, which is to be lit, is located at the focal point of the dish.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle device is at a location substantially opposite from the cigarette holder.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle device is located underneath the reflecting device.
 6. A method comprising the steps of: inserting a cigarette into a cigarette holder such that light from a light source reflects off the inner surface of a reflecting device and is directed towards the cigarette, causing the cigarette to light; and wherein the cigarette holder is connected to a housing; the reflecting device is connected to the housing; and further comprising picking up the housing by a handle device, which is part of the housing; and wherein the handle device has a gap through which one or more fingers are inserted for picking up the housing.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the reflecting device is a dish.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the dish has a focal point at which light rays reflecting off of the inner surface of the dish intersect; and wherein the cigarette holder holds a cigarette so that the a first end of the cigarette which is to be lit, is located at the focal point of the dish.
 9. The method of claim 7 wherein the dish has a curvature; the cigarette holder is connected to a housing; the reflecting device is connected to the housing; and the housing has a curved portion with a curvature which is substantially the same as the curvature of the dish; and wherein the dish is fixed to the housing at the curved portion.
 10. The method of claim 6 wherein the cigarette holder has a lip, which prevents a cigarette from falling out of the cigarette holder.
 11. The method of claim 6 wherein the handle device is at a location substantially opposite from the cigarette holder.
 12. The method of claim 6 wherein the handle device is located underneath the reflecting device.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cigarette holder is connected by a curved member to the housing.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cigarette holder is comprised of a hollow cylinder having a top edge and a bottom edge, and a plurality of protruding portions, including a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion; wherein the first protruding portion includes a first section and a second section, wherein the first section of the first protruding portion is protrudes out from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder, and the second section of the first protruding portion protrudes out from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to the first section of the first protruding portion and the second section of the first protruding portion is substantially parallel to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder; and wherein the second protruding portion includes a first section and a second section, wherein the first section of the second protruding portion is protrudes out from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder, and the second section of the second protruding portion protrudes out from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to the first section of the second protruding portion and the second section of the second protruding portion is substantially parallel to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the plurality of protruding portions includes a third protruding portion and a fourth protruding portion; wherein the third protruding portion includes a first section and a second section, wherein the first section of the third protruding portion is protrudes out from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder, and the second section of the third protruding portion protrudes out from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to the first section of the third protruding portion and the second section of the third protruding portion is substantially parallel to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder; and wherein the fourth protruding portion includes a first section and a second section, wherein the first section of the fourth protruding portion is protrudes out from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder, and the second section of the fourth protruding portion protrudes out from and is fixed substantially perpendicular to the first section of the fourth protruding portion and the second section of the fourth protruding portion is substantially parallel to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the first, second, third, and fourth protruding portions are fixed to the bottom edge of the hollow cylinder and arranged in a manner such that one protruding portion is located at a northern location, one at an eastern location, one at a southern location, and one at a western location.
 17. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising one or more tracks fixed onto an outer surface of the dish; and wherein the dish can be attached or detached from the housing by sliding the one or more tracks onto a portion of the housing.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the housing includes a bottom portion having a gap into the which the one or more tracks can be inserted to facilitate attaching or detaching the dish from the housing.
 19. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a carrying case having first and second pockets; wherein the housing is fixed to the cigarette holder; wherein the reflecting device is detachable from the housing; and wherein the reflecting device can be inserted into the first pocket while a combination of the housing and cigarette holder are inserted into the second pocket. 